Philippians 3:4b-7, 10-14
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Reflection
In this passage, the Apostle Paul shares a brief summary of his story with us. We learn his religious upbringing, his passion for the law, and how he lived out that devotion. The apostle then shares his changed perspective after encountering Jesus. Notice the difference in Paul’s desires and actions after that encounter with Jesus.
How have you viewed the world prior to knowing Jesus?
How has your perspective changed after getting to know Jesus?
